A federal judge has rejected a request to delay the upcoming trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, ensuring that court proceedings will move forward as scheduled in May, despite defense objections over timing and evidence.
Combs, who faces serious charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, appeared in Manhattan federal court on Friday, April 18, where U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian declined to postpone the trial, according to reports from CNN and Reuters.
Defense Claims They Need More Time — Judge Disagrees
The Bad Boy Records founder’s legal team had sought a two-month delay, citing difficulties in trial preparation due to what they described as delayed evidence sharing by prosecutors following a superseding indictment in April.
Judge Subramanian, however, pushed back on the claim, reportedly telling the defense team that it was “unclear why there isn’t sufficient time to prepare.”
Controversial Video at the Center of Legal Battle
Combs’ attorneys have also filed a motion to exclude a 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN, which allegedly shows Combs physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, at a Los Angeles hotel.
In the footage, Combs, wearing only a towel and socks, appears to chase, strike, and kick Ventura before throwing an object at her. Ventura sued Combs in November 2023, accusing him of assault; the case was settled just one day after being filed.
Combs’ defense team alleges that CNN “altered, manipulated, and sped up” the video and destroyed the original, arguing that it should not be admissible in court. CNN strongly denied the claims, stating the footage was neither edited nor destroyed and that the original was retained by the source.
High-Profile Attorney Joins the Defense
In a development that drew attention across the legal community, the court also approved the addition of Brian Steel — the defense attorney known for representing rapper Young Thug in a high-profile RICO case in Georgia — to Combs’ legal team.
What’s Next for Diddy
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which carry the possibility of life in prison if convicted on all counts. He also faces multiple civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, all of which he has publicly denied.
Since his arrest in September, Combs has remained in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, after being denied bail.
Jury selection for the trial is set to begin on May 5.